N/A Question for you air arrow shooters?

drsquall

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Jul 22, 2022
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Good morning
Here in the great state of Oklahoma the powers to be have still not legalized air rifles for Whitetail but a few years ago they legalized air rifles shooting arrows that could only be used during our 16 day rifle season. You have to buy an additional permit of $20 to do it even for us lifetime hunting and fishing license people that's had them for 30+ years. That's beside the point it just irks me, they only stipulation they have in the regs is it's got to maintain 2000 PSI fill and have a gauge on it so if you get checked they can check it. Also the arrows must be at least 18 inches long. I have lost majority of my drive for Whitetail hunting and I still go every year for a few evening sits during rifle season watching a Wheatfield or sitting in a creek bottom between two Wheatfield. And to be honest usually I take an open sided lever action in 3030 of my dad's or I just take one of my revolvers. So anyway most of the time I'm within 50 yard to where I think the deer gonna stroll by. I am tempted to buy a PCP that shoots arrows even though I will only use it for this and probably only hunt a handful of times with it. So my question is which is the best one to get with the caveat I don't wanna throw over $1000 with scope arrows and rifle. I don't care if it goes 600 ft./s with 150 or 190 foot pounds. speed is not a concern for me. I was really looking at the Air Force Talon bolt and I would shoot it on the low setting for more shots which supposedly it gets 350 ft./s which is way faster than 99% of the hunting compound bows out there and most crossbows shoot under that unless you're willing to throw big money at one. I also looked at something like the recluse in 357 that way if I ever to get a wild hair up my butt to go shoot a coyote with it or coons I could put a slug in it and go with it but my concern is--is it just as accurate as one of those dedicated arrow guns? I'm not looking to shoot past 40 yards.
Thanks again for your help

Jon
 
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Good morning
Here in the great state of Oklahoma the powers to be have still not legalized air rifles for Whitetail but a few years ago they legalized air rifles shooting arrows that could only be used during our 16 day rifle season. You have to buy an additional permit of $20 to do it even for us lifetime hunting and fishing license people that's had them for 30+ years. That's beside the point it just irks me, they only stipulation they have in the regs is it's got to maintain 2000 PSI fill and have a gauge on it so if you get checked they can check it. Also the arrows must be at least 18 inches long. I have lost majority of my drive for Whitetail hunting and I still go every year for a few evening sits during rifle season watching a Wheatfield or sitting in a creek bottom between two Wheatfield. And to be honest usually I take an open sided lever action in 3030 of my dad's or I just take one of my revolvers. So anyway most of the time I'm within 50 yard to where I think the deer gonna stroll by. I am tempted to buy a PCP that shoots arrows even though I will only use it for this and probably only hunt a handful of times with it. So my question is which is the best one to get with the caveat I don't wanna throw over $1000 with scope arrows and rifle. I don't care if it goes 600 ft./s with 150 or 190 foot pounds. speed is not a concern for me. I was really looking at the Air Force Talon bolt and I would shoot it on the low setting for more shots which supposedly it gets 350 ft./s which is way faster than 99% of the hunting compound bows out there and most crossbows shoot under that unless you're willing to throw big money at one. I also looked at something like the recluse in 357 that way if I ever to get a wild hair up my butt to go shoot a coyote with it or coons I could put a slug in it and go with it but my concern is--is it just as accurate as one of those dedicated arrow guns? I'm not looking to shoot past 40 yards.
Thanks again for your help

Jon

@drsquall I have several big bores that shoot air bolts and slugs. I have read plenty about dedicated arrow shooters - enough to comment here. My informed opinion is that if you want a dedicated arrow shooter strictly for whitetail hunting and don’t want to spend a lot, look into the Umarex Air Saber line (not the air Javelin). There is the regular Air Saber and the Elite. One is a single shot, the other a double shot. Here’s a link to the Umarex AirSaber Elite which is currently on sale for $399 as of 9/14/25.


This is the regular Umarex AirSaber priced at $429


@RM.510bigbore has several posts on these and even tells us that Easton arrows can be used by simply pulling the nock off and inserting the arrow onto the air tube (see post #5 in the following thread)


He discusses accuracy out to 100 yards.


Beyond 100 yards

These things go for under $300-$450 new I believe. The Talon Bolt seems to be a nice choice, but I don’t know if the arrows are 18” long. I doubt that they are comparing how they look on video compared to other arrow shooters’ bolts. Recently I saw an ad that led me to Airgun Revisions’ website advertising Benjamin airbows at a discount ahead of whitetail season. They are currently priced at $525 as of 9/14/25.


For an air rifle/air bolt shooter there are many. The Dragon Claw, Recluse, the 909, the Double Shot (all Seneca air guns up to this point). I haven’t shot any of them but Keith Warren has thoroughly covered this line on video. If you find them used the following could also be options from $1000 or less: Benjamin Bulldog and Western Bushbuck carbine/Bushpig. I have a couple of threads on shooting air bolts with the Bulldog. Here’s one


And more on hunting animals with the Bulldog platform. Let me find a few links for you.
 
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@drsquall I have several big bores that shoot air bolts and slugs. I have read plenty about dedicated arrow shooters enough to comment here. My informed opiomion is that if you want a dedicated arrow shooter strictly for whitetail hunting and don’t want to spend a lot, look into the Umarex Air Saber line (not the air Javelin). There is the regular Air Saber and the Elite. One is a single shot, the other a double shot. @RM.510bigbore has several posts on these and even tells us that Easton arrows can be used by simply pulling the nick off and inserted onto the air tube. He discusses accuracy out to 100 yards. These things go for under $300-$450 new I believe. The Talon Bolt seems to be a nice choice, but I don’t know if the Afros are 18” long. I doubt that they are comparing how they look on video compared to other arrow shooters’ bolts. Recently I saw an ad that led me to Airgun Revisions’ website advertising Benjamin airbows at a discount ahead of whitetail season.

For an air rifle/air bolt shooter there are many. The Dragon Claw, Recluse, the 909, the Double Shot (all Seneca air guns up to this point). I haven’t shot any of them but Keith Warren has thoroughly covered this line on video. If you find them used the following could also be options from $1000 or less: Benjamin Bulldog and Western Bushbuck carbine/Bushpig. I have a couple of threads on shooting air bolts with the Bulldog. Here’s one


And more on hunting animals with the Bulldog platform. Let me find a few links for you.
OK thanks yeah the Talon carbine has inch arrows but the Talon bolt has 18 inch. I will take a look at the saber line. Like I said if one of the dragon claws would work as a dull purpose that might be the best way for me to go. I don't want anything bigger than 357 just because I don't there's not a logical reason lol. The bulldog series I don't like a bull pup style gun unfortunately I am a rifle style guy that is why I'm trying to sell the only bull pup I got left because I've tried several and just can't get used to them for my style hunting. But thanks for the links I appreciate it very much and like I said I don't plan to shoot past 40 yards.
 
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OK thanks yeah the Talon carbine has inch arrows but the Talon bolt has 18 inch. I will take a look at the saber line. Like I said if one of the dragon claws would work as a dull purpose that might be the best way for me to go. I don't want anything bigger than 357 just because I don't there's not a logical reason lol. The bulldog series I don't like a bull pup style gun unfortunately I am a rifle style guy that is why I'm trying to sell the only bull pup I got left because I've tried several and just can't get used to them for my style hunting. But thanks for the links I appreciate it very much and like I said I don't plan to shoot past 40 yards.
@drsquall You’re welcome. If you’re going to deer hunt I think .45 is the best all around caliber for air rifle rounds and air bolts. I have a .357s and .45s. After shooting both I have more confidence in the .45s. For air bolts, either will do. I’ve hunted pretty extensively with .357 air rifles.
 
@drsquall You’re welcome. If you’re going to deer hunt I think .45 is the best all around caliber for air rifle rounds and air bolts. I have a .357s and .45s. After shooting both I have more confidence in the .45s. For air bolts, either will do. I’ve hunted pretty extensively with .357 air rifles.
Yeah it'll strictly be Air bolts only since we can't use air rifles for rifle season. That's why I was wanting the 357 so I could shoot lightweight slugs or just some pellets for close range work on coons and coyotes. We can only use them (air bolts)during our rifle season which is only 16 days here and I'm trying to find out whether or not we can use them during our special doe days season as well.
 
Yeah it'll strictly be Air bolts only since we can't use air rifles for rifle season. That's why I was wanting the 357 so I could shoot lightweight slugs or just some pellets for close range work on coons and coyotes. We can only use them (air bolts)during our rifle season which is only 16 days here and I'm trying to find out whether or not we can use them during our special doe days season as well.
@drsquall Y'all are just north of us. I think eventually that law will change considering we’ve had an air rifle season for several years and we continue to harvest deer with airguns down here. Based upon what @RM.510bigbore has posted about the Umarex Air Saber, I’d put my money on it. It’s one of the few Umarex air guns that I’d seriously considered buying. Thing is when you start shooting over 400 fps, you need a decent archery target. I have several and I’ve shot through some and gotten bolts stuck pretty good mainly in bag targets. I like the Rhinehart targets. Good luck to you. Let us know what you decide to use.
 
@drsquall Y'all are just north of us. I think eventually that law will change considering we’ve had an air rifle season for several years and we continue to harvest deer with airguns down here. Based upon what @RM.510bigbore has posted about the Umarex Air Saber, I’d put my money on it. It’s one of the few Umarex air guns that I’d seriously considered buying. Thing is when you start shooting over 400 fps, you need a decent archery target. I have several and I’ve shot through some and gotten bolts stuck pretty good mainly in bag targets. I like the Rhinehart targets. Good luck to you. Let us know what you decide to use.
Thanks yeah I've got block targets rated for crossbow to like 450 ft./s my crossbows never did that type of speed. Thanks again for the help and I appreciate it very much and yes I hope the state will change it eventually to allow us to do it
 
Thanks yeah I've got block targets rated for crossbow to like 450 ft./s my crossbows never did that type of speed. Thanks again for the help and I appreciate it very much and yes I hope the state will change it eventually to allow us to do it
@drsquall The Block Target I have is exactly what I was referring to. I blew right through that piece of crap shooting from 50 yards. It may have happened on my first shot at it. I can’t recall. I do remember it had a label stating it can stop any type of bolt up to a specific speed rating. I didn’t exceed that rating and the bolts zipped right through it into a wooden backstop. It’s in my Bulldog thread where I first started shooting airbolts. I strongly suggest that you use another target. Maybe my experience was a fluke, but I wouldn’t buy another. If yours works please let us see it. I may have gotten a bad target. I have no way of knowing.

I’ll be following this thread to see what you end up with.
 
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